On the Bentos tetra...if you are referring to Hyphessobrycon bentosi [profile: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/c...entosi-190985/ ] this is a very peaceful and quiet tetra. I've had them for years, and they remain under cover of plants (they do not appreciate overhead light) and in their group, not much for swimming. They will not bnother plants. Perhaps you are thinking of another tetra, like the Buenos Aires, rexpepper? [profile: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/c...isitsi-190977/ ]. This is a very different fish, and not one I wold recommend here in this setup.

As for mixing plant species, if you are going for a more natural aquascape, fewer species is best, as this is how nature appears. Find ones that share the same lighting requirements. My 115g has five species in total; two (three counting the floating) are spread around to create unity and cohesion, with the other two as single specimen, In smaller tanks, 3-4 species (one being a floater) will do much the same.

The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.[unknown source]

Something we all need to remember: The fish you've acquired was quite happy not being owned by you, minding its own business. If you’re going to take it under your wing then you’re responsible for it. Every aspect of its life is under your control, from water quality and temperature to swimming space. [Nathan Hill in PFK]

Destroy plants? Ugh....uhm. Perhaps the marble hatchets are more peaceful. I'd love to have brasiliensis (can't remember the genus now) as a sortof lawn as foreground. Looks pretty. Then some tall stuff for background.

This is all very bewildering and addictive, this will be my first ever aquarium (or since like 30 yrs when i was just a kid we had one).

If you went with a low light plant tank you could plant a few species of crypts to give it some sense of smaller and larger plants, adds some variety. I started out trying all sorts (about 30) and have settled less than 20 but my favourites (if i had to pick three) are crypts, dwarf Lilly and floating Brazilian pennywort.

On the Bentos tetra...if you are referring to Hyphessobrycon bentosi [profile: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/c...entosi-190985/ ] this is a very peaceful and quiet tetra. I've had them for years, and they remain under cover of plants (they do not appreciate overhead light) and in their group, not much for swimming. They will not bnother plants. Perhaps you are thinking of another tetra, like the Buenos Aires, rexpepper? [profile: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/c...isitsi-190977/ ]. This is a very different fish, and not one I wold recommend here in this setup.

As for mixing plant species, if you are going for a more natural aquascape, fewer species is best, as this is how nature appears. Find ones that share the same lighting requirements. My 115g has five species in total; two (three counting the floating) are spread around to create unity and cohesion, with the other two as single specimen, In smaller tanks, 3-4 species (one being a floater) will do much the same.

Byron.

yeah those are them! lil monsters! ahh yeah, the bentos i misread! sorry